Alumni Stories
Alumni Spotlight
Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey
Dr. Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey, Oxford conductor, educator, and researcher, champions marginalized composers and explores orchestras’ social impact, bridging music and global collaboration.
Read MoreCicely “Vanessa” Cox
Cicely “Vanessa” Cox, a music educator turned attorney, now advocates for minors after pursuing her lifelong dream of law, inspired by students’ legal struggles.
Read MoreHeather Waters
Heather Waters, Associate Professor at Adelphi University, holds a PhD in music education and specializes in various teaching methods. She enjoys NYC life and outdoor activities.
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Alumni
Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey
Dr. Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey is an internationally renowned conductor, scholar, and educator, currently serving as Director of Performance at St Catherine’s College, University of Oxford. Known for her commitment to amplifying marginalized voices in classical music, she actively promotes works by female and Global Majority composers. Cayenna’s innovative research explores the socio-psychological dynamics of orchestras and their cultural significance, bridging academic inquiry with practical artistry. She also coordinates transformative educational initiatives, such as the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra’s Side-by-Side programme. From Ӱ to Afghanistan, Cayenna’s career reflects a profound dedication to fostering global musical connections and championing social justice through music.
Read MoreCicely “Vanessa” Cox
Cicely “Vanessa” Cox, a 2008 and 2009 graduate with degrees in Music and Music Education, has had a diverse career in both music education and performance. She taught choir, drama, and musical theater while later transitioning to teach history and E.S.L. Her love for music continued alongside her military family life, performing with various choirs and theater groups. Inspired by her experiences with students facing legal challenges, she pursued a law degree, graduating in 2024 from FAMU. She now works as a staff attorney with The Legal Aid Society, advocating for minors in court.
Read MoreHeather Waters
Heather Waters is an Associate Professor of Music Education and Chair of the Music Department at Adelphi University. She holds a PhD in music education from Temple University, as well as degrees in piano performance and music education. She has extensive training in various music education methods, including Orff-Schulwerk, Kodály, and Dalcroze. Heather has taught at several institutions, including Adelphi University and New York University, and served in leadership roles for national music education organizations. In addition to her academic work, she enjoys living in Queens, NYC, and has a passion for running, hiking, and exploring her Ӱn roots.
Read MoreAriana Horner Sutherland
Ariana Horner Sutherland, a lyric soprano from Nome, Ӱ, began her musical journey at the University of Ӱ Fairbanks, earning a Bachelor of Music Education. She then obtained a Master’s of Music in Vocal Performance from Sam Houston State University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of California Santa Barbara. Her education and performance experiences have profoundly shaped her musical path. Ariana's dedication to her craft promises significant contributions to the opera world. Her evolving career leaves audiences eagerly anticipating her future achievements in the realm of opera.
Read MoreRose Crelli
Electric and acoustic violinist Rose Crelli began playing at age six and holds four music degrees, including from the University of Ӱ Fairbanks and the University of Louisville. Conservatory-trained, she has performed in seven countries such as Italy and South Korea. She has played solo halftime shows at NBA Golden State Warriors games and performed with renowned artists like Andrea Bocelli and Michael Bublé. Her corporate clients include Rolls-Royce and Meta. Featured on CBS News and in the San Francisco Examiner, Rose was born in China and adopted by a family in Ӱ, where she grew up. She is a proud Ӱn and dual US-Canada citizen.
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Christopher Hull
Christopher Hull is a percussionist and ethnomusicologist blending tradition and innovation. With degrees in classical percussion from Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Ӱ Fairbanks, and a performing arts certificate from the Arts Institute of Indonesia Denpasar, he is now pursuing a doctorate in ethnomusicology at the University of Toronto. His genre-defying work reflects his diverse, global experiences.
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Jonathan Dillon
Jonathan Dillon is a music educator specializing in music education for children, with interests in general music, Kodály-inspired pedagogy, and youth choral music. Joining the University of Utah's music education faculty in 2023, Dillon teaches various music education courses and has an extensive background in K-5 music education in Ӱ. Recognized for his excellence in teaching, Dillon's research focuses on the professionalization of music educators and empowering students in general music education.
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Emerson Eads, PhD
Emerson Eads, PhD, Director of Choral Activities at Minot State University, is a renowned composer, conductor, and singer. With degrees from the University of Ӱ Fairbanks and the University of Notre Dame, he has studied under notable mentors and has an extensive performance and composition portfolio. Notably, he has premiered works with the Fairbanks Symphony and received several commissions, including "Give Me Room" for Ӱ. Eads' music has been performed internationally, earning multiple accolades, and he continues to contribute to the choral and musical community globally.
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Mallory Bernstein
Born in White Plains, New York, pianist Mallory Bernstein has a diverse career in collaborative work, solo performances, and nonprofit management. She studied at Ithaca College, the University of Ӱ Fairbanks, and the University of Denver, performing with various ensembles and orchestras. Bernstein founded Education Through Music-Colorado, providing music education to 2,500 students in the Denver metro area.
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Jon Heintz
Jon Heintz earned his Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Ӱ Fairbanks in 2014, studying double bass under esteemed instructors. He has actively participated in Fairbanks' music scene, performing with various groups and festivals. Currently, he is the orchestra director at Rainier Middle School and Auburn Mountainview High School in Auburn, Washington, and maintains a private double bass studio. Heintz credits Ӱ and Fairbanks for transforming his passion for music into a calling.
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